The Library is maintained jointly with the Societies for the Promotion of Hellenic and Roman Studies and in association with the Institute of Classical Studies (University of London). It contains over 130,000 volumes, 22,000 bound volumes of periodicals, thereby bringing the overall total to almost 152,000 volumes. The Library has an international reputation as one of the world’s foremost Classics libraries.

Thursday, 3 May 2012

Disrupted access to the British Library

Readers who also use the nearby British Library should be aware that they may experience some disruption next week due to industrial action:

"Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) have voted for a one day strike on Thursday 10 May 2012 over changes to public sector pensions.

The British Library at St. Pancras plans to be open as usual for visitors to its public areas and exhibition galleries, but there is likely to be significant disruption to our Reading Room services with the potential of late opening and some rooms likely to remain closed.

Further, we may only be able to facilitate a maximum of five requests per person in Reading Rooms that are open on 10 May, and no transfers will be possible between Reading Rooms in St. Pancras.

Although every effort will be made to maintain opening hours of available rooms until 20.00, there is a possibility of early closure at 17.00.

We plan to open the Boston Spa Reading Room and the Newspaper Library at Colindale but there may be disruptions to our services.

We urge all Readers to check any changes to the Library's opening hours and available services. We will keep you updated on our website - please see the homepage at http://www.bl.uk/.